Historique

The UNDP Office in Haiti includes a program section which consists of a management team and different units such as:

• Management support;
• Global Fund;
• Environment and Energy;
• Governance and Rule of Law;
• Recovery and livelihoods;
• Risk and Disaster Reduction.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Haiti, is providing though its Environment and Energy Unit (EEU) financial and technical assistance to the Government of Haiti (GoH) and the civil society in planning and capacity building in mainstreaming environment rehabilitation and sustainability criteria in sectoral policies, including improving management of specific environmental and renewable energy resources like watersheds, water, biodiversity and biomass.

In this context, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Haiti, acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the GoH through the Ministry of the Environment (ME) in the Preparation and Implementation of the project “Establishing a financially sustainable National Protected Areas System (SNAP) (PIMS No. 4150, ATLAS project ID No. 00070685)”.

Project Description

The project is designed to address continued erosion of biodiversity in Haiti, and the limited effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) for ensuring biodiversity (BD) conservation, due to their limited access to reliable funding. This project aimed to address this issue by promoting increased investment in PAs by the Government, in recognition of their importance for national development and vulnerability reduction; increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of the funds available; and diversifying the sources of income available to PAs. This will make a significant qualitative change to the functionality and sustainability of the PA system, allowing its highly important and threatened BD to be subject to effective conservation for the first time in the country’s recent history, and creating favourable conditions for future expansion of the PA system to cover currently under-represented habitats.

The project focuses on laying the institutional bases for achieving financial sustainability in the National Protected Area System (NPAS), by stimulating increased investment in PA management, increasing the efficiency of the use of the resources available, and reducing the cost burden of PA management on the Government. Once conditions for financial sustainability have been established through the project, it will be possible for the Government to subsequently expand its effective presence into other protected areas which currently only exist on paper. The project’s intervention is particularly opportune given the recent declaration in 2006 of the NPAS and establishment of the National Agency for Protected Areas (ANAP), under the General Decree of Environmental Management. It will help to remove the barriers presented previously by developing the capacities and mechanisms which are required to increase and diversify funding for the NPAS, to ensure that the best use is made of the resources available, and to realize the potential of local communities to participate in PA management. It will also lead to an increase in the area of the national PA estate in order to improve economies of scale and to develop models of income generation, which will incidentally contribute to the ecosystem coverage of the NPAS.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UNDP and is nationally executed by the Ministry of Environment, which is the Implementing Partner for UNDP/GEF.

Project Goal, Objectives, Outcomes and Outputs:

The project goal is “Conservation and sustainable management” of globally significant biological diversity and environmental goods and services that support national, regional and local development. Its objective is to assist the GoH to remove the barriers of  the policy framework putting in place in June 2014 an integrated operational and financial framework to ensure long term sustainability of the national PA system by developing the capacities and mechanisms which are required to increase and diversify funding for the NPAS, to ensure that the best use is made of the resources available, and to realize the potential of local communities to participate in PA management, and also leading to an increase in the area of the national PA estate in order to improve economies of scale and to develop models of income generation, which will incidentally contribute to the ecosystem coverage of the NPAS.

The Project pursues three main outcomes and 18 outputs: Outcome 1: Improved PA governance system, backed by policies, regulations and competent institutions, enables more cost efficient use of funds available for PA management; Outcome 2: Promotion of partnerships to increase the social, ecological and financial sustainability of Pas; Outcome 3: Diversification of PA income sources in order to increase income and reduce vulnerability to funding fluctuations. 

In accordance with UNDP/GEF procedures, all projects supported by GEF/UNDP funds are required to undergo a Terminal evaluation aiming to assess achievement of completion of project implementation. UNDP is hereby hiring an Individual International Consultant to help evaluating the project completion success and outcomes. The Consultant will work under supervision of the Chief of UEE and in close collaboration with other colleagues in the UEE to ensuring successful evaluation of the project.

The purpose of the Final evaluation is to fully assess the achievements of project objectives, components, results, outcomes and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.

These Terms of Reference (TORs) sets out the guidance and expectations of the Terminal Evaluation (TE) of the project “Establishing financially sustainable National Protected Areas System” (PIMS 4150).

Devoirs et responsabilités

The principal responsibility of the international consultant is to contribute to and to lead the Terminal Evaluation in assessing the achievement of project implementation, results, outcomes and and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.

Within the framework of this TORs, the International Consultant is expected to perform, under the direct supervision of the Chief of Environment and Energy Unit and assistance from supporting unit staff of other units, the following tasks and duties:

• Assess the relevance of the project rationale with the Governmental environmental and PA policies and legal frameworks;
• Assess the project design of the project: objectives, outcomes, outputs and activities, including institutional arrangements and adequacy of financial resources;
• Assess the project implementation approach efficiency and performance;
• Assess the project management approach effectiveness and efficiency in involving partners, stakeholders and local communities in the project implementation;
• Assess quality design of the annual Work plan and budget;
• Assess the project budget execution and the resource use-efficiency;
• Assess the monitoring an evaluation framework effectiveness and efficiency in measuring progress made and providing corrective measures and decision making data and information;
• Assess involvement, roles and responsibilities played by main stakeholders (Government officials-ME, MARNDR, MEF, MT, Local Authorities, Communities, Partners & Donors, project Team and UEE Staff, other relevant agencies, beneficiaries, etc.).

More specifically She/He will address the followings:

Outcome 1: Improved PA governance system, backed by policies, regulations and competent institutions, enables more cost efficient use of funds available for PA management:

• Degree of adoption/enforcement of a National PA System Policy, which (1) defines the NPAS and the ANAP; (2) clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture and their dependencies, (3) involves local governments and actors;
• Review the Governance policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for sustainable PA financing, alternative institutional arrangements for PA management; National PA financing strategies; Economic valuation of PA systems; Improved government budgeting for PA systems; Clearly defined institutional responsibilities for PA management and financing;
• Review strengthened business planning and other tools for cost-effective management as measured by UNDP Financial scorecard (Business planning and other tools for cost-effective management);
• Percentage of Protected Areas within NPAS with Management Plans, based on NPAS management plans standards;
• Percentage of PA management costs requirements met through a combination of Government (including local governments) and donor funding;
• Financial management strategy and financial business plan for the national PA system;
• Tools and methodologies for enhanced operational standards, planning, management and investment across PA management units;
• Institutional development strategies and plan of staffing and staff development for ANAP, NPAS and other key institutional stakeholders;
• Framework for institutional and agency support to promote employment opportunities in buffer zones;

• Models for harmonized management and business plans for individual PAs;
• PA practitioners with capacities for cost effective management (accounting, reporting; revenue capture and threat management techniques);
• Establishment of new PAs to contribute to the financial sustainability of the NPAS.

Outcome 2: Promoted partnerships increases the social, ecological and financial sustainability of PAs

• Number of PA managed under co-management agreements, between municipalities and PA operators;
• Development of a model for public-private concession agreements (including local actors) for provision of non-essential services and degree of its up-scaling throughout the whole PA system in priority areas for biodiversity conservation;
• Number of local management committees implemented;
• Local development plans which incorporate PA buffer zone management strategies;
• PA permanent working groups with productive sector associations;
• Academic and research programs which promote efficient long term sustainability of PA systems;
• Control and oversight plan for PAs with local participation;
• Capacity building programs for co-management of PAs particularly targeting the local management committees.

Outcome 3: Diversified PA income sources increase income and reduce vulnerability to funding fluctuations:

• Percentage of PA budgets nationally coming from sources other than Government recurrent budget;
• Percentage of essential recurrent costs of 3 major PAs are covered by Government, alternative income sources and PAs’ own revenue generation mechanisms;
• Diversification of revenue generation and mobilization of the NPAS and 3 major PAs in Haiti  as measured through improvement in the detailed scores of the UNDP Financial Scorecard;
• Review resource allocation strategy document based on economic evaluation of ecosystem services and risk mitigation potential of PA systems in Haiti;
• Financial and regulatory instruments for capturing revenue from tourism and other potential alternative income sources;
• Guidelines & training programs to optimize development funds input to PA management;
• New investment commitments for PA co-management and buffer zone development;
• Revenue generation schemes including fees in key pilot areas and ecosystem based adaptation;
• Long term cooperation framework for donor community including guidelines to optimize transfer of funds to PA management, strategies for long term investment plans and financial investment partnerships with key institutions and donor community.

The Evaluators will also interact with the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor, if needed, to ensure that the approach and methodology as well as the evaluation report are sound and in line with the UNDP/GEF requirements.

This Terminal evaluation will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects.

Expected deliveries

The key products to be delivered are as follows:

• Inception and detailed design of the assignment Workplan (including  methodology, data collection grids, survey questionnaire, interview tools, etc.), no later than 1 week after the startup 0f the assignment;
• Detailed draft evaluation report (including executive summary, scope of the terminal evaluation, methodology, activities conducted, evaluation finds, performances, achievements, outcomes, lessons learned, conclusion and recommendations, references, Appendixes (TOR’s, itinerary, list of persons interviewed, summary of field visits, list of documents reviewed, questionnaire and summary of results, and leveraged resources, etc), etc.), no later than 4 weeks after the startup of the assignment.The project team and UNDP CO as well as UNDP RTA will provide feedback/comments no later than two weeks after the receipt of the draft report;
• Final evaluation report, including all above elements and addressing comments made and incorporating corrections and suggestions made by the client and the stakeholders.

Duration

The International Consultant will need to travel to Haiti during the period to conduct the evaluation in undertaking stakeholder interviews, visiting the project sites (7 days visit to the project sites), submit a draft report make including activities carried out and findings and make a presentation of the findings of the evaluation.  During the mission, the consultant will have his/her duty station at Port au Prince, with travel to the field (least 10 days). The finalizing work of the report will be done home-based.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:

• Technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s): Natural resource management, Climate Change Biodiversity, and Land degradation;
• Ability to interact with senior government officials.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Qualifications et expériences requises

The evaluation will be conducted by a team composed of 1 international environmental Specialist and 1 national socio-economic specialist. The team shall have prior experience in evaluating similar projects.  Experience with GEF financed projects is an advantage. The evaluators should not have participated in the project preparation and/or implementation and should not have conflict of interest with project related activities.

The international consultant must present the following qualifications:

Education:

• Master or PhD degrees in environmental sciences, natural resource management sciences, agriculture, Forestry, Biodiversity conservation, or related fields.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, with technical knowledge in biodiversity conservation and national protected areas, and similar natural resources management related field;
• Experience regarding establishing sustainable financially sustainable management system for protected areas, and community-based protected areas management;
• Previous experience with terminal evaluation/review of GEF funded projects;
• Sound knowledge of UNDP and GEF;
• Previous experience in Haiti or in the Caribbean region.

Languages

• Proficiency in both English and French.

Payment modalities

20% Upon presentation of inception report (5 days after starting);

50% Following submission and approval of the 1ST draft mid-term review report (20 days starting);

30% Following submission and approval (UNDP-CO and UNDP RTA) of the final report (after 25 days) .

Application process

Applicants are requested to apply online by October 16th, 2015

Individual consultants are invited to submit applications together with their:

• Cover letter: Explaining why the consultant is the most suitable for the work; confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment;
• Updated and complete C.V. in English or French with indication of contacts (e-mail and phone contact);
• Financial offer indicating the total cost of the assignment (including daily honorarium fee, per diem and travel costs).

Interested candidates are strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=22904 

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete. Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email. Interested candidates are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system.

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